✅ Answer: A) Dr. Homi J. BhabhaDr. Homi J. Bhabha is called the “Father of Indian Nuclear Programme.” He founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1945 and the Atomic Energy Establishment (now BARC) in 1954. He conceived India’s 3-stage nuclear programme to exploit thorium reserves. He died in a plane crash in 1966. BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) in Mumbai is named after him.

✅ Answer: C) Thorium-232 (converted to Uranium-233)India’s 3-stage nuclear programme ultimately aims to use thorium-232 (converted to uranium-233 in breeder reactors) as fuel. Stage 1 uses natural uranium in PHWRs; Stage 2 uses plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) while breeding uranium-233 from thorium; Stage 3 uses uranium-233 from thorium. India has the world’s largest thorium reserves (~25% of world total) in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

✅ Answer: B) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) is the most common reactor type in India. It uses natural uranium as fuel and heavy water (D₂O) as both moderator and coolant. PHWRs are used at Rawatbhata, Kalpakkam, Narora, Kakrapar, and Kaiga. India chose PHWR technology because it uses natural uranium (India has limited uranium but can use it without enrichment). Kudankulam uses PWR (Russian VVER technology).

✅ Answer: C) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)India has NOT signed the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1968). India considers NPT discriminatory because it recognises only 5 countries (USA, Russia, UK, France, China) as nuclear weapons states. India also has NOT signed the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 1996). However, India received an NSG waiver in 2008 through the India-US nuclear deal, allowing it to trade in nuclear technology despite not signing NPT.

✅ Answer: A) Mumbai, MaharashtraBARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) is located at Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is India’s premier nuclear research centre, established in 1954 as the Atomic Energy Establishment (renamed BARC in 1966 after Dr. Homi Bhabha’s death). BARC conducts research in nuclear energy, isotope production, radiation technology, and nuclear medicine. It operates the Dhruva and Apsara research reactors.

✅ Answer: C) Kalpakkam, Tamil NaduThe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is being constructed at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. It is India’s first Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) — part of Stage 2 of India’s 3-stage nuclear programme. It uses plutonium as fuel and liquid sodium as coolant. It will breed uranium-233 from thorium-232. BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited) is constructing the PFBR. Kalpakkam also has the MAPS (Madras Atomic Power Station) with PHWRs.

✅ Answer: C) 2008The India-US nuclear deal (123 Agreement) was signed in 2008 under PM Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush. It allowed India to import nuclear fuel and technology despite not signing the NPT. India received an NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) waiver in 2008. India agreed to separate civilian and military nuclear facilities and place civilian facilities under IAEA safeguards. This ended India’s nuclear isolation after the 1998 Pokhran tests.